Vata dosha

Vatadoṣha is responsible for movement and cognition. [Code:SAT-B.384]It is one of the three sharira doṣha with a predominance of vayu and akashamahabhuta. This vital biological force performs functions like all sensory perceptions, motor activities, and higher mental activities. [Code:SAT-B.384]

Rigved stated that when the three dhatu- vata, pitta and kapha remain in a normal state and undisturbed, the body is at ease, and there is no disease.[R.V.1.3.6]Dosha, dhatu and mala are fundamental factors of the living body. [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 15/3][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 11/1].Life continues as long as vata is present in the human body.[Bhe.Sa.SutraSthana 16/2]Along with being mobile, the vata may also keep the pitta, kapha, dhatu, and mala functioning. This demonstrates that vata can affect other dosha and the body's components.[Sha.Sa.Pratham Khanda 5/25]. Pitta, kapha, dhatu (body elements), and mala (waste materials) are dependent on vata dosha for their activities. The functions of vata are also observed in nature in the form of movements of trees, clouds, and other objects. The movement in body is a sign that life is present. Vata conducts all these gross and subtle physical movements. This article describes the details of vata dosha.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/Dosha/Vata Dosha
Authors	Bhojani M. K. 1, Tanwar Ankur Kumar 1
Reviewer	Basisht G.2,
Editor	Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations	1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3Department ofKayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication:	, 2022
DOI	In process

Etymology and derivation

The word vata is derived from “ta” suffix to the word “Va”.The word ‘vata’ is defined as “vagatigandhanayoh”. [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 21/5] “Va” word is concerned with movement (gati) and intimation(gandhana). The meanings of word ‘gati’ are motion, moving, and going. The meaning of word gandhanaare intimation, information, and perception.

Synonyms

The god of wind (maruta), movement (chala), wind(anila), present everywhere(samirana), pure (pavana), gives sensation of touch(sparshana), full of strength(mahabala), life(jivana), sadagati, help in perception of smell(gandhavaha), self-existent(swayambhu)[Su.Sa.NidanaSthana 1/5], air, wind, blown, desired for, wished for, solicited, and god of wind.

Various aspects

Vata is categorized as ‘dosha’primarily because of its capability to vitiate other body components. It is also mentioned as ‘dhatu’ because in normal state, it sustainsor maintainsthe body. [Su.Sa.SutraSthana 21/4]It is also called as ‘mala’ as it can make the body unwholesome and produced as waste material during the process of digestion “katuavasthapaka”(last process of digestion). [Cha.Sa.ChikitsaSthana 15/11] Vata is the somatic factor having two prime functions –movements(cheshta) and process of learning or knowledge(jnana). Vata is swayambhu(self-manifested) and it is the root cause of production, preservation, and destruction.[Su.Sa.NidanaSthana 1/7]Vata is the controller of body. Vataleads the functions of all dosha, and its responsible for many diseases.[Su.Sa.NidanaSthana 1/8]

Bhautika composition

Dosha are descendants of panchamahabhuta. Vatadosha has dominance of vayu and akashamahabhuta.[A.S. Sutra Sthana20/2]Akasha provides space for movements, and vayuprovides the energy needed for any kind of movements. Chakrapani opines that vatadosha is originated from vayumahabhuta predominantly.[Chakrapani on Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/8]Althoughvatadosha is panchabhautika, vatadosha is the representative of the respective mahabhuta in the human body.

Figure 01: Bhautikacomposition of vata dosha.

Sites of vata

Dosha pervades every part of the body. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/9] Acharya stated the general location of vata, pitta and kapha are the lower, middle, and upper portions of the body, respectively marked by the heart(hridaya) and umbilicus(nabhi).[A.S. Sutra Sthana 1/4]Vata is predominately present in body parts below umbilicus(adhonabhi). [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/10]The specific sites of dosha are locations where their functions are primarily observable. Thespecific seats of vata are:

• Urinary bladder(basti)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8] [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8]
• Large intestine+ rectum+ anal region(purishadhana)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8]
• Plevicregion(katiorshroni)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/6][Dalhan on Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/6] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1]
• Thighs(sakthini)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1]
• Both legs(padam)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8]
• All bones(asthini)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1][K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/10]
• Anal region(guda)[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/6][Dalhan on Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/6][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/9]
• Ears(shrotra) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1]
• Skin(sparshnendriya) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1]
• Bone marrow(majja)[K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/10]

Among all these sites, large intestine(pakvashaya) is the prime site of vata.[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1]Purishadhana included the portion of the intestine wherein purishdharakala (layer for formation and storage of stools)is located. It includesanus (guda) also. [Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/9][Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/6] Chakrapani opines that purishadhana is pakvashaya. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8]According to the Atharvaveda, vata is situated in the upper part of the head (mastishka). [Ath.V. 10/2/26]

Figure 1. General(A) and specific sites(B) of vatadosha.

Attributes

The characteristics of vata are:

• Dryness(ruksha)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/7][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/11]
• Coldness(shita)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/7] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11]
• Lightness(laghu)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/7][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/11]
• Micro or subtle nature (sukshma)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/11]
• Mobility(chala)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/11]
• Clearness(vishada)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58]
• Roughness(khara)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/58][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/7][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/11]
• Hardness(daruna)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/4]
• Bioenhancer (yogavahi)[Cha.Sa. ChikitsaSthana 3/39]
• Formlessness(amurtatva)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/13]
• Frequent(bahu)[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/98]
• Swift(sheeghra)[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/98]
• Coarseness or harshness(parusha)[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/98]
• Assessed through its functions(avyaktovyaktakarma)[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/7]
• Movements in all direction(tiryak)[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/8]
• Having predominately raja quality(rajobahula)[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/8]
• Unpredictable potential(achintyavirya)[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/8]
• Quick(ashukari)[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/9]

These attributes should be considered while taking diet and lifestyle managementof health. If the food and lifestyle habits having similar characteristics are followed in excess, a person may experience vatadoshavitiation leading to vata disorders.

Functions of vata

Vata dosha governs all bodily functions.The ability to provide other bodily entities, such as other dosha, dhatu, and mala, mobility belongs to the vatadosha in the human body.Vata is responsible for all motion, so this dosha is also known as life in living beings. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/116] The principal functions of vata doshaare to sustain the body:[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 18/49][Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/10][Su.Sa. ShriraSthana 7/8][Sh.Sa.Pratham Khand 5/21] :

• Maintaining and controlling all the/ human machinery or body(tantra yantra dhara)
• The originator of all kinds of movements(parvartakachestanamucchavachanam)
• Regulates and guides the mind(niyantapranetacha manasa)
• Stimulates all sensory and motor organs(sarvendriyanamudyojakah)
• Directs senses to their respective objects(sarvendriyarthanamabhivodha)
• Responsible for proper building of the tissues and organs of the body(sarvasharira dhatu vyuhakar)
• Connects the different tissues(sandhanakarsharirasya)
• Induces speech(pravatakovacha)
• Causative factor of sound and touch sensation(prakriti sparshshabdayoshrotrasparshayormulam)
• Cause of pleasures and determination(harshautsahayonih)
• Stimulates digestive power(samirano-agneh)
• Dries up the excessive moisture(dosha samshoshanah)
• Excretion of waste products(ksheptabahimalanamor samomokshagatimata)
• Formation of every kind of channel, fine and coarse(sthulanusrotasambhetta)
• Regulates the formation of the different structures of the fetus and provides specific size/shape(kartagarbhakritinam)
• Sustain the life(ayushoanuvrittipratyayabhutah)
• Control the segmentation or division of cells(vibhagakarananmatah)[Sh.Sa.Pratham Khand 5/21]
• Inhalation and exhalation(ucchavasa-nishwasa)
• Proper movements of dhatu(dhatugatisama)

Five particular functions of vata based on its types are as below:[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/4]

1. Body movements and pulsation(praspandan)
3. Retain the perception of senses (udwahana)
5. Ingestion of food(purana)
7. Differentiation of tissues and waste products(viveka)
9. Retention of waste products till evacuation(dharana)

Classification

The classification of vataisbased on different functions and locations in human body. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/8]

Five types

Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana, and Apana are the five classifications of vatadosha. Five sets of functions by which vatadosha is divided into five types are described with [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/4] the diseasespecificity of five types of vata.[Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/13-19]The location and function of five types of vatadosha based on different Ayurvedic texts are as given in table 1. [Cha.Sa. ChikitsaSthana28/5-11]

Table 1: Description of five types of Vata dosha

S.No.	Type of Vata	Location	Function	Disease [Su.Sa. NidanaSthana 1/13-19]
01.	Prana	Head (murdha) Thorax (ura) Throat (kantha) Tongue (jihwa) Mouth (asya) Nose (nasika)	Spitting out (shthivana) Sneezing (kshavathu) Belching (udgara) Respiration (shwasa) Ingestion of food (aharadi)	Hiccough (hikka) Asthma (shwasa)
02.	Udana	Umbilicus (nabhi) Thorax (ura) Throat (kantha)	Speech (Vakpravritti) Efforts (prayatna) Provides strength, complexion (Urjabalavarnadikarma)	Disease occurring above the neck (Urdhvajatrugata)
03.	Samana	Near digestive system (anataragneparshva)	It gives strength to the digestive system	Abdominal lump (gulma), less digestive capability (agnisada), diarrhea (atisara)
04.	Vyana	Whole body (dehavyapnoti)	Movements (gati) Contraction and relaxation (prasarana) Upward and downward movements (aakeshpa) Opening and closure of eyelids (nimesha)	disease located to the whole body (sarvadeha)
05.	Apana	Scrotum (vrishana) Bladder (basti) Penis (medhra) Umbilicus (nabhi) Thorax (ura) Inguinal region (vankshana) Anus (guda)	Ejection of semen, removal of urine and faces (Shukramutrashakritkriya), menstruation and delivery of fetus (srijtyaartavagarbha)	Diseases related to the urinary bladder and anal region (bastigudaashraya)

Figure 02: Physiology of different types of vata

Prana Control Respiration Regulation of food ingestion Sneezing reflex

Udana Speech Memory Learning Intellect

Samana Control of digestive process through enteric nervous system

Vyana Motor function Regulation of circulatary system Regulation of sweat

Apana Speech Memory Learning Intellect

Figure 03: Regulation of different system by vata- types.

Two types

Two types of dosha are: Prakrita(inherent state) and vaikritadosha (acquired state). Prakrita dosha are observed at the time of conception and are responsible for the formation of prakriti. They are constant, and any change in them leads to death or trouble. They are responsible for the expression of individuality or phenotype of the person. Vaikritadosha are produced as the waste of food (ahara) and continuously circulate in the body of fetus. They are responsible for health, and any disturbance in their physiological limits, either excess or decline, leads to disease.Prakrita and vaikritadosha always stay in connection with one another, and collectively, they are called sharirikadosha. A person can only control the vaikritadosha through diet and lifestyle. [A.S. ShariraSthana 8/4]

Vata dominantconstitution (prakriti)

The characteristics of vata dominantconstitution individuals based on properties of vata dosha. [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/99]The person having vata dosha in predominance have the following characteristics:

• Leanbody appearance
• Dryness in voice, skin and hair
• Less and disturbed sleep
• Quick in action, walk, and talkative
• Unsteady movements of legs and hands
• Prominent movements of joint with voice
• Cracks in heel and skin
• Intolerance to cold
• Prominent tendons, veins and joints.

Lokapurusha samanya

Vayu is responsible for all motions in the cosmos. The vayumahabhuta is represented by the vatadosha in human body. Nourishing (visarga), depleting (adana) and distributing (vikshepa) in the universe are carried by the moon, sun and wind. Similarly, human body haskapha, pitta, and vata performing the same functions, respectively. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 29/6]

Factors responsible for abnormal states of vata

Certain factors cause excess or decline of vata in the human body. These factors are natural or unavoidable and artificial or avoidable.

Natural factors: These factors are the essential component of biological rhythm occurring in the external as well as internal environment of the body. This natural increase is physiological. These factors are as follows:[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/20], [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/8], [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana12/24-25][A.Hr. NidanaSthana1/14-15]

• Season(ritu): Vata undergoes accumulation in summer(grishma), gets vitiated in rainy season(varsha) and subsides to normal during autumn(sharada).
• Various stages of digestion of food: Vata gets vitiated at the end of meal digestion(jirneanne)
• Biological rhythm of day and night: Vata gets vitiated at the end of day(apraha) and night(pratyush).
• Habitat(desha): Vata usually gets vitiated in the person of arid area(jangaladesha).
• Age (vaya): In old age, vata is in excess as compared to other dosha.

Figure 04: Natural factors responsible for vatavriddhi.

Artificial factors: Apart from natural factors, there are certain factorsthat causevitiation of dosha and disease. These factors are easily avoidable and used in clinical practice through the concept of samanyavisheshasiddhanta. These factors are as follows: [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana21/19] [A.Hr. NidanaSthana1/14-15]

• Diet(dravya) and particular properties of diet: Ayurveda defined three tastes (rasa) that can lead to vitiation of vatadosha. These three rasa are bitter(tikta), pungent(katu) and astringent(kashaya).These three rasa, when taken in excess, cause vata vitiation(prakopa).
• Lifestyle or activities: Suppression of natural urges(vegavidharana), night awakening(ratrijagrana), loud speech(ucchabhashana), overworking or excessive shodhana(kriya atiyoga), overthinking(chinta), excessive exercise(vyayama), excessive sexual indulgence(atimaithuna), excessive studies(atiadhyanana), swimming(plavana), and lifting of weight(bharaharana) etc.

Clinical aspects

Preventive aspect: Person having prakriti vatadosha as body constitution should avoid diet and lifestyle which vitiates vata dosha.To prevent the vata dominant diseases, diet and lifestyle opposite to attributes of vata are advised.[A.Hr. ShariraSthana3/85-89]



Figure 04: Stages of dosha.

Stages of dosha: Dosha continues to exist in three states: hypofunction (kshaya), hyperfunction (vriddhi), and normal physiological state (sama). [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana17/110]Increase and reduction in dosha functioning (karma), respectively, can be used to understand dosha increase and decline in the body.Dosha, when increased, produce their respective features in excess; when decreased, cut off their functions and when in normal state, they perform their normal functions.

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References